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Words Into Action Guidelines Words into Action Guidelines Implementation Guide for Man-made and Technological Hazards UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Engaging for resilience in support of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 The Words into Action (WiA) guidelines series aims to ensure worldwide access to expertise, communities of practice and networks of DRR practitioners. The guidelines offer specific advice on the steps suggested to implement a feasible and people-centered approach in accordance with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. While these guidelines are not meant to be exhaustive handbooks that cover each detail, those who need in-depth information will find references to other sources of information. On the basis of a knowledge co-production methodology, WiA work groups use a participatory approach that ensures a wide and representative diversity in knowledge sources. WiA is primarily a knowledge translation product converting a complex set of concepts and information sources into a simpler and synthetized tool for understanding risk and learning. It is also meant to be a catalyser for engagement of partners and other actors. In summary, the WiA guidelines are pragmatic roadmaps to programming an effective implementation strategy. This is facilitated by promoting a good understanding of the main issues, obstacles, solution finding strategies, resourcing and aspects for efficient planning. The guidelines can be valuable resources for national and local capacity building through workshops and training in academic and professional settings. They can also serve as a reference for policy and technical discussions. For more information about Words into Action, please contact: UNISDR Main Office 9-11 Rue de Varembé CH1202, Geneva - Switzerland Telephone: +41 229178907-8 Email: [email protected] Website: wwww.unisdr.org Cover images: Yann Forget (CC-BY-SA-2.0) istock.com/Cylonphoto 110312-N-0000X-003 ©U.S. Navy photo/Released Words into Action MAN-MADE AND TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS Practical Considerations for Addressing Man-made and Technological Hazards in Disaster Risk Reduction UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Foreword Foreword The number and magnitude of man-made disasters worldwide have risen since the 1970s and continue to grow in both frequency and impact on human wellbeing and economies, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Several major technological accidents and the increased number of new hazardous substances and materials have highlighted the need to tackle these hazards within the overall frame of inclusive disaster risk management. Paragraph 15 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 leaves no doubt about the need to address hazards comprehensively as it applies to the risk of small-scale and large-scale, frequent and infrequent, sudden and slow-onset disasters, caused by both natural and man-made hazards as well as related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks. It aims to guide the management of disaster risk at all levels as well as within and across all sectors. Adopted by the United Nations Member States in 2015, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction was conceived to prevent the creation of new disaster risk and to reduce existing risk, and losses to lives and livelihoods, economic losses and damage to infrastructure. This is achieved by greater understanding of disaster risk, by strengthening resilience of people and communities with a focus on those most at risk, and by decisive action by all of society to ensure risk informed development, planning and investments. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the focal point of the United Nations system for disaster risk reduction and the custodian of the Sendai Framework, supporting countries and societies in its implementation, monitoring and review of progress. In accordance with the Sendai Framework, this guide seeks to address man-made hazards by strengthening national and local disaster management plans to include these hazards and by raising awareness of their risks and impacts. Furthermore, it will be a valuable tool to support training and capacity building. This guide provides a set of evidence-based, practical activities for implementation for chemical, industrial and transport accidents, and nuclear and radiological hazards under the Sendai Framework’s four priorities for action. The guide highlights the existing diversity of thematic frameworks, institutional and legal mechanisms at global and regional levels that are related to and used for addressing man-made hazards. It also draws attention to existing collaborations within the disaster risk reduction community and key partners. I hope this guide will provide useful advice and that it will support and strengthen communities of practice and professional networks. Mami Mizutori Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction 2 Executive summary The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) with the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) have partnered with several key agencies and institutions to develop this Words into Action guide. Its aim is to help strengthen national and local disaster risk management plans, by the inclusion of an all- hazards approach that covers man-made and technological hazards, and to raise awareness for better prevention, preparedness and response to the risks and impacts of these hazards. The guide highlights the enormous costs and multiple impacts of man-made and technological hazards in various domains, including those stemming from chemical and industrial accidents, nuclear and radiological emergencies as well as accidents in the transport sector and those associated with the particular case of "Natech" hazards. Man-made and technological disasters, whether caused by natural or man-made hazards, can cause severe damage to individuals, communities, economies, supply chains and the environment. Moreover, they may trigger secondary disasters, aggravating initial impacts. Industrial facilities, nuclear and other technological installations and transport systems are all vulnerable to natural hazards, and their design is not always adequate to withstand current or future impacts. In purely economic terms, the cost of natural and man-made disasters worldwide has been estimated at US$ 175 billion for 2016 alone, with US$ 9 billion of that stemming from man-made disasters. This number has risen from previous years and continues to grow due to increasing disaster risk as a result of factors such as climate change, rapid urbanization and industrialization. In the case of one high-profile example, the Fukushima radiological emergency displaced 165,000 people and has an estimated economic recovery cost of US$ 235 billion. In another example, hundreds of hazardous materials were released after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, while pipeline accidents, train derailments and other transport accidents hauling dangerous goods have caused catastrophic pollution incidents around the world. Such examples illustrate the "business case" for improved preparedness and response to these hazards, as well as the importance of implementing multi-sectoral and multi-hazard approaches to reducing risk from them. This guide offers a targeted set of practical activities for implementation at national and local levels. It also clarifies the roles and responsibilities of specialized stakeholders. A review of over-arching key considerations and prominent examples of "no-regrets" actions include the following: 1. Understanding disaster risk • Conduct risk assessment and ensure access to pre-disaster risk assessment information, with a baseline for hazards, exposure, risks and vulnerability, including local sources of risks; • Collect information on local institutions, capacities and plans to address disasters; • Develop and regularly update local and national maps on disaster risk, hazards, human exposure and vulnerability, including key infrastructure elements; • Engage with communities at risk to understand community structures and support inclusiveness, while ensuring access of communities to relevant risk information; • Enhance understanding of disaster risks among all stakeholders, including government officials at all levels, civil society and NGOs, local communities, the private sector, disaster and emergency responders as well as volunteers; 3 • Improve the flow of disaster risk information from scientific and technical experts to policy- makers, communities and other stakeholders, and assure appropriate use of the same; • Strengthen understanding of disaster risk at the local level through education and awareness- raising campaigns; • Apply risk information to develop and implement Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies and strategies. 2. Strengthening disaster risk governance • Mainstream DRR within and across all sectors dealing with man-made hazards, through relevant legal frameworks, policies, regulations, reporting requirements and compliance incentives; • Ensure that sectors involved in man-made risk management are involved in appropriate DRR coordination and organizational structures, including forums and platforms at local and national levels; • Ensure that sectors involved in man-made risk management adopt and apply national and local DRR strategies and plans, including targets, indicators and timeframes, and follow-up mechanisms to monitor
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